Squirrly Sponge

it was play time in my craft space - My Fiber Bubble. I spent a little time at the sewing machine working on a quilt. All because I was looking for a seam ripper (yes - I needed my UN-SEWER).  sometimes spend more time unsewing than actually sewing!

While on the hunt for my seam ripper...I KNOW - you'd think with my deplorable sewing skills my seam ripper would be readily reachable - but for some reason - it was 'hiding'.

While pawing through the area that I was SURE my ripper would be holed up in I glanced around and what caught my eye? A round sponge! It still had the label and price tag on it. Unused. Sad little sponge. How many years ago did I buy that? WHY did I buy it?

So in true "squirrel" fashion. I quickly forgot about the seam ripper, grabbed the sponge, and ran for my acrylic paints! (Acrylic paints that were 'transferred' to me from my sista Gailey. Yes "transfer" is the correct verb. If you've read my blog posts in the past you may be familiar with ToC - Transfer of Crap.) It is a genetic affliction that is deeply embedded in several of my family members...

Forgotten. Forlorn. Forsaken. The Sponge AKA Porifera.

Since I had the paint out and was getting acquainted with my porous little sphere I made several backgrounds to be used at a later date. After I made four of these using random colors. I remembered a fan-folded butterfly set that I bought in the clearance aisle at Hobby Lobby. It had nearly identical colors to one of the backgrounds. Whooop! Whooop!

Butterfly Wishes
~White base card
~Sponge painted background using acrylic paints
~Coral cardstock die cut flourishes
~Party Butterflies by Pebbles
~Sentiment by Jen Long (Sizzix)
Challenges | Inspirations
Just Us Girls - photo inspiration (butterfly teapot)
Case This Sketch - sketch
Alphabet Challenge - anything with wings
Daring Cardmakers - up in the air
Southern Girls - use a die

Here's to discovering unused treasures, going with my inner squirrel, and using transfer of crap (ToC) items!

Thanks for clicking by!

Nancy in Iowa

Missing: One Garden Muse

I haven't nailed the Mary Lee garden theme project yet. Is it all this SNOW and ICE that is causing a lush green and dramatically colorful muse from popping into my head?

Here is what I've managed to come up with for Mission:Garden....I know, I know....they are not really garden-like and florals do not equate with garden. These are my 'warm-up' cards.

In an indirect sort of way - I suppose one could say that at some point flowers originate from a garden... but what about hot house flowers? They never had to struggle against elbowing weeds or enjoyed direct sun on their flowery little faces. Technically they are NOT from a garden. I get it - flowers do NOT necessarily = garden.

Maybe I'm over-thinking this.

I know! I need to spend some time surfing the net for garden theme digital stamps. YES, that's it more one-on-one time with my laptop! I can get sucked into the vortex of the net and push back that little voice suggesting I go chip ice from the sidewalk.


Elephant in the Garden
This card gets its name from the sketch challenge #50 over at The Pink Elephant.
~Base card - PTI (Paper Trey Ink)
~Layer of olive green cardstock
~Layer of blue, green stripe (Miss Elizabeth - Dollar Tree)
~Horizontal rectangles of blue then olive green cardstocks and coordinating Miss Elizabeth blue/green checked print
~Ovals cut using Spellbinders and Cuttlebug - two shades of green cardstock
~Image colored with Copics; flower coated with Stampin' Up Crystal Effects, leaves coated with ~Crackle Accent
~Blue/green plaid ribbon (Archiver's) 'just cuz' gift from Sissy Gail (She said not to refer to her as sister Gail because it sounds too nun-like.) She then corrected herself and said that would be "Sister MARY Gail". We have a familial 'thing' about nuns...let's just leave it at that!
~Garden rake is a ToC item from sissy Gail

Garden Fairy
~Base card - PTI
~Layer of DCWV Pocket Full of Posies
~Image - Stampin' Up Fairy Nice, colored with Copics, topped off with Stampin' Up Crystal Effects
~Stickles Diamond added to 'water' flowing out of the watering can
~Mini daisy punch (Michael's Dollar Bin) - two layers with Stickles center in fairy's hand
~Three edges of image punch with Fiskars corner punch
~Lower edge of image curved using corner curve punch
~Left and bottom edge of image cardstock smudge with ink - Cotton Candy
~Layers of green leaves punched with Martha Stewart punch
~Layers of mini daisy punch with Stickles glitter centers

Herb Garden
~Base card - PTI
~Layer of Basic Grey Wassail collection (toile print)
~Purple brads
~Filigree sticker is from Basic Grey Wassail collection
~Layers of off-white cardstocks - edges smudged with Distress Ink Old Paper and Peeled Paint
~Image (another Gail-gift: a bulk order of used stamps from e-Bay) colored in with Copics and colored pencils
~Black brads and twine added to the drying rack


Now - I'm on the hunt for REAL garden images - otherwise Mary Lee will be stuck with these.

You can get up close with the card by clicking on the image.
All good wishes,
Nancy

Renaissance Gratitude

I was' told by my 'editor-in-chief that my previous post was a little lengthy. So tonight - just a quick post! (Geez - maybe if I paid her by the word she would APPRECIATE my verbosity...)

Made two thank you cards to send to BCU's new friends with the Siouxland Renaissance Association. They volunteered their time and talents to our Homecoming Renaissance Festival on campus. One is for the Renaissance group, the other is for Mirage a Trois the belly dancing troupe that also volunteered time, talent, and flames to our campus event. I don't think I mentioned the belly dancers in my Homecoming re-cap below. But since I am attempting brevity I will save that description for another day.

I tried for a Renaissance feel to the cards.

~Both cards: Once Upon A Time by DCWV & tulle

~Small card center medallion is a genuine article from ToC (it was a button cover - remember when they were popular? - I pried the medallion off of the button clip - thank you sissy G)

~Scalloped squares made with my Cuttlebug

~Large card crown is DCWV chipboard

You can get up close with the card by clicking on the image.

All good wishes,

Nancy